Provinces' huge cash prizes for winners of international, national academic contests

According to government regulations, a student who wins an Olympiad gold medal is eligible for a reward of VND55 million (US$2,260) while silver and bronze winners get VND35 million and VND25 million.

But local authorities in their hometowns shower them with enormous cash prizes.

The northern Quang Ninh Province grants VND700 million each to students who win a gold medal, and VND500 million and 400 million for silver and bronze winners.

Quang Ninh is followed by Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc provinces and Hai Phong City, all in the north.

Four students winning Olympiad medals in three subjects of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry receive cash rewards from the authorities of Bac Ninh Province, July 28, 2023. Photo by Bac Ninh Province newspaper

In the case of national competition winners, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang gives a reward of VND100 million. It is followed by Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and HCMC with VND50 million each.

Hanoi does not have a policy to reward students winning national awards. It offers Olympiad gold medal winners VND20 million.

Most Vietnamese students winning Olympiad medals have studied in Hanoi or HCMC.